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           "Where’sScout?"

           "Heresheis,"AuntAlexandracalled,pullingmealongwithhertothetelephone.Shetuggedatmeanxiously."I’mallright,Aunty,"Isaid,"youbettercall."

           Shepulledthereceiverfromthehookandsaid,"EulaMay,getDr.Reynolds,quick!"

           "Agnes,isyourfatherhome?OhGod,whereishe?Pleasetellhimtocomeoverhereassoonashecomesin.Please,it’surgent!"

           TherewasnoneedforAuntAlexandratoidentifyherself,peopleinMaycombkneweachother’svoices.

           AtticuscameoutofJem’sroom.ThemomentAuntAlexandrabroketheconnection,Atticustookthereceiverfromher.Herattledthehook,thensaid,"EulaMay,getmethesheriff,please."

           "Heck?AtticusFinch.Someone’sbeenaftermychildren.Jem’shurt.Betweenhereandtheschoolhouse.Ican’tleavemyboy.Runoutthereforme,please,andseeifhe’sstillaround.Doubtifyou’llfindhimnow,butI’dliketoseehimifyoudo.Gottogonow.Thanks,Heck."

           "Atticus,isJemdead?"

           "No,Scout.Lookafterher,sister,"hecalled,ashewentdownthehall.

           AuntAlexandra’sfingerstrembledassheunwoundthecrushedfabricandwirefromaroundme."Areyouallright,darling?"sheaskedoverandoverassheworkedmefree.

           Itwasarelieftobeout.Myarmswerebeginningtotingle,andtheywereredwithsmallhexagonalmarks.Irubbedthem,andtheyfeltbetter.

           "Aunty,isJemdead?"

           "No—no,darling,he’sunconscious.Wewon’tknowhowbadlyhe’shurtuntilDr.Reynoldsgetshere.